8 Free Photo Editor for Raw Files on Desktop and Mobile
Raw, unprocessed files have become crucial for photographers, offering higher-quality images with more flexibility for post-processing. However, to unlock their full potential, a raw file editor is necessary to adjust the images by adding creativity. Although many professional-grade editors come with a high price, plenty of free tools are available for desktop and mobile.
In this article, you will explore the best paid and free photo editor for raw files for different platforms, offering powerful features for every level of photographer!
Part 1: Top 4 Free Photo Editors for Raw Files in Desktop
For desktop users, raw files require specialized software to handle large, high-quality images while offering advanced editing tools. Below are four of the best photo editor for raw files.
1. RawTherapee

Raw Therapee is a free, cross-platform raw file editor that offers advanced customization options to create stunning photos. It supports raw files from a range of digital cameras. Its key features include HDR tone mapping, deep exposure colour correction, bar graph matching, noise reduction, and a selection of other enhancement tools, giving users full control over their image adjustments.
Pros
- Completely free
- High-quality editing
- Available in 15+ languages
Cons
- Lack of guides and tutorials for beginners
- The interface may seem overwhelming
2. Darktable

Darktable is another free, open-source, photography processing workflow software designed for editing raw files. It also supports standard, raw, and high-dynamic range image formats. You can use it either as a beginner-level photo editor or as high-end software. It offers professional colour management and correction tools, such as chromatic aberrations, an equalizer, highlights reconstruction, and more.
Pros
- Lightning-fast image processing
- Non-destructive image editing
- Powerful export system
Cons
- Advanced features are difficult to use
- A steep learning curve for beginners
3. digiKam

digiKam is a professional photo management and editing tool that supports raw image file editing with powerful functionalities like exposure correction, white balance adjustment, noise reduction, face recognition, and metadata tagging. It also supports exporting the images directly to the cloud and social media platforms. This lightweight program can even be used to manage extensive image libraries.
Pros
- Free and lightweight
- View and edit metadata
- Efficient editing workflow
Cons
- It can be resource-intensive
- Outdated user interface
4. PhotoDemon

PhotoDemon is a fast and free photo editor that offers various tools for editing raw files. It provides an intuitive interface with 200+ professional-grade tools, including layers, shadow/highlight recovery, fill and resize, and lens correction. It also supports image file formats like PSP, PSD, and XCF. Its portability makes it a convenient option for quick fixes and basic adjustments.
Pros
- No installation required
- Real-time previewing
- Built-in batch processor
Cons
- Lack of advanced features
- Suitable for Windows users
Part 2: Top 4 Raw File Editors in Mobile Device
If you want to edit your raw files on the go, a free raw file editor for mobile phones can be a lifesaver. Let’s explore the four best mobile apps with their pros and cons:
1. Snapseed

Snapseed is a professional, free raw photo editor developed by Google with a user-friendly interface. It supports editing raw files with a wide array of tools, including double exposure, white balance, lens blur, colour adjustments, healing, and filters. So you can easily achieve high-quality results on a mobile or tablet.
Pros
- Selective image editing
- HDR editing to achieve balance
- Basic cropping and rotating feature
Cons
- Fewer features compared to other tools
- Colour grading is not precise like other features
2. VSCO

VSCO is a well-known video and photo editor for Android, iPhone, and Windows users. It offers raw file editing capabilities to adjust your images on the go. You can elevate your photos with a set of professionally designed filters. With basic editing tools for quick fixes, its advanced features help you remove objects, apply effects, adjust exposure, colour correction, etc.
Pros
- Clean and well-designed app
- Ability to share and view photos
- Integrated social media community
Cons
- Require subscription for many features
- Limited manual editing tools
3. Adobe Lightroom Mobile

Adobe Lightroom Mobile is a free photo editor for raw files that offers professional-grade capabilities. It lets you edit, organize, and share your photos with high precision and synchronizes seamlessly with the desktop version. You can access selective exposure control, colour correction, and other tools to get HDR images with well-balanced highlights and shadows.
Pros
- Smooth workflow management
- Import raw images directly from the camera
- Support both presets and customized editing
Cons
- Advanced functions are behind a paywall
- It may work slower on old mobile phones
4. Pixlr

For those who prefer using a raw file editor online, Pixlr should be the way to go. This comprehensive AI photo editing tool supports both raw and standard image formats. It offers different creative tools like filters, layers, and overlays. You can also use adjustment features for exposure, colour correction, B&W, HDR, colour balance, curves, shadows, etc.
Pros
- Intuitive UI with easy navigation
- AI-powered image editing tools
- Export as PXZ, PDF, PNG, WEBP, or JPG format
Cons
- Ads in the free version
- No advanced manual editing
Part 3: Bonus tip: How to Convert Raw Files to JPG on Windows & Mac
If you’re seeking an easy way to convert raw images to JPG for easier sharing and quick edits, HitPaw Univd is a comprehensive solution. This professional multimedia software offers a wide variety of editing, compression, and conversion features, including an Image Converter. With its simple and user-friendly interface, you can effortlessly convert your raw files to an accessible format like JPG. It also supports multiple image formats for conversion, including WEBP, BMP, TIFF, etc. You can even enjoy quick processing with high-quality results.
Main Features:
- Offer an easy UI with intuitive controls to convert image files
- Allow you to convert a lot of images in a batch to save time
- Provide speedy conversions, ideal for large image collections
- Lossless image conversion to deliver the best quality output
- Basic editing and compression features to adjust your image
How to Convert Raw to JPG using HitPaw Univd:
Step 1. Choose Image ConverterFirst of all, launch the software and go to the “Home” section. Now, select “Photo” and click the “Image Converter” tool.

Step 2. Import Raw Images
Next, press the “Add image” tab to upload the required raw images for conversion. You can also tap any image to preview it.

Step 3. Select Output Format
It’s time to expand the “Convert all to” drop-down menu and choose “JPG” as the output format. Also, select the destination folder.

Step 4. Start Conversion
Lastly, press the “Convert” or “Convert All” button to start the Raw to JPG conversion. It will take some time, and that’s it!

Part 4: FAQs about RAW File Editor
Q1. Can you edit a Raw file?
A1. Yes, raw files can be edited using a specialized raw file editor that can process uncompressed image data. You can try digiKam, PhotoDemon, Adobe Lightroom, Pixlr, etc.
Q2. How can I edit RAW images for free?
A2. You can edit raw images for free using any of the editors listed above, such as Raw Therapee, Darktable, and Snapseed. These tools offer various editing features without a subscription.
Conclusion
Raw files provide unparalleled quality, but to make the most out of them, you need a powerful editor. Fortunately, the free raw file editor options in this guide can process your images effectively. However, if you want to convert your raw files to JPG or other image formats, HitPaw Univd Image Converter stands out for its fast and efficient conversion. Try this software and convert your images seamlessly.
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Daniel Walker
Editor-in-Chief
My passion lies in bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and everyday creativity. With years of hands-on experience, I create content that not only informs but inspires our audience to embrace digital tools confidently.
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